Histoplasmin Test I. Investigation of histoplasmosis

Abstract

Histoplasmosis known to be caused by histoplasma capsulatum is according to Palmer et al distributed all over the world, especially in the basin of mid-stream of great rivers. This disease is thought to be caused by histoplasma multiplying in podozolic soil. Most of the persons infected with this organism demonstrates positive histoplasmin test.
Histoplasmin test was carried out by the authors with 72 earthworkers working in the basin of mid-stream of Edogawa River in order to investigate the incidence of this disease in our country. The results were as follows:
1) The test proved positive in 36 persons (50%). The diameter of reddening was on an average 4.8 mm, exceeding in no case 10 mm. No case demonstrated an induration over 5mm.
2) From these results, the basin of Edogawa River might be considered as not contaminated yet. However, a further research is requested, because the number of cases examined is not sufficient.